Dikembe Mutombo, Tim Hardaway, Kevin Johnson and John Calipari headline the 12-person finalist for the 2015 Basketball Hall of Fame. This is Mutombo first year of eligiblity for the Basketball Hall of Fame but he is close to a sure bet. Mutombo played 18 years in the NBA and was a 4-time Defensive Player of the Year. Mutombo is known for his rim protection shot blocking and ended his career 2nd on the all-time blocks with 3,289 blocks.
Many thought Tim Hardaway killer crossover and Kevin Johnson were snubbed last year. So maybe this year will voters will see things different. The 6 foot tall point guard speed and dribbling broke down many bigger and faster opponents. Finishing his career with averages of 17.3 points, 8.2 assist and 1.6 steals per game.
Calipari has the number 1 ranked Kentucky Wilcats primed to win another national championship this year. Despite some of the controversy that has come with Calipari throughout the years, if he were to win a National Championship this year he would hold 2 National Championships and over 578 wins.
The rest of the list of finalist include:
NBA Referee Dick Bavetta, Former NBA Coach Bill Fitch, Wisconsin Head coach Bo Ryan, Former NBA and ABA All-star Spencer Haywood, Celtics great Jo Jo White, WNBA Star Lisa Leslie, High school coaches Robert Hughes and Leta Andrews.
The finalist must receive 18 votes from the HOF committee to be inducted in the Basketball Hall of Fame this August.
H/T: Bleacher Report